<i>Gangster Squad</i> trailer shown in Australian cinemas with <i>Dark Knight</i> even after US shooting

By Adam Bub| 7 years ago

Shooting scene: Gangster Squad scene too close to real life.

In the wake of the US Dark Knight Rises cinema massacre, Australian cinemas have been asked to pull trailers for the Ryan Gosling film Gangster Squad.

In the wake of the US Dark Knight Rises cinema massacre, Australian cinemas have been asked to pull trailers for the Ryan Gosling film Gangster Squad, as it features a scene where 1940s gangsters shoot up a cinema audience.

Warner Bros. in the US has removed the trailer from cinemas out of sensitivity for audiences after 24-year-old gunman James Holmes allegedly killed 12 people and injured 58 on Friday night.

Roadshow Films, distributors for Warner Bros. in Australia, confirmed that the trailer has never played with The Dark Knight Rises, but they have asked exhibitors to remove the Gangster Squad trailer from other films currently screening.

However, an audience member who attended the Sunday 1.45pm Dark Knight Rises session at Sydney's Manly Cinemas said the Gangster Squad trailer did indeed play in front of the Batman film.

"I thought it was quite inappropriate," the source said.

"It's definitely not the kind of thing you want to see when you're a bit worried about being in the cinemas in the first place."

A spokesman from Manly Cinemas told TheFIX that "the trailer for Gangster Squad has been removed. Roadshow Films contacted all cinemas."

Warner Bros. officials in the US are set to meet today to discuss whether Gangster Squad's September release should be pushed back, or if the shooting scene should be removed altogether.

The film is currently scheduled for an Australian release on September 27.

Tell us below if you saw the trailer for Gangster Squad at the cinemas on the weekend.